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2022-06-20-accounts

Charity Number: 1073152

Mersey Rivers Trust

Report and financial statements For the period ended 20 June 2022

Mersey Rivers Trust

Reference and administrative information

for the period ended 20 June 2022

Charity number 1073152 Registered office and operational address

Riverview A17 Embankment Business Park Heaton Mersey Stockport SK3 3GN

Trustees Trustees who served during the year and up to the date of this report were as follows:

Dr Keith Hendry Chair Professor Peter Batey Trustee Mr David Henry Crawshaw Trustee Mr Christopher Findley Trustee Mr Terence Clive Gaskell Trustee Mr Nicolas Carter Trustee Mrs Sarah Jenner Trustee Mr David Thompson Trustee Dr Stephen Boult Trustee Mr Alex Clegg Trustee (Appointed 09/03/22) Ms Francesca Sullivan Trustee (Appointed 09/03/22) Key management Name Paul Henbrey Operations and Delivery Director personnel Name John Sanders Strategic Planning and Development Director Bankers Name Triodos Address Deanery Road, Bristol, BS1 5A Solicitors Name Slater Heelis Address 86 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 2ER DX 14310 Manchester 1 Independent Jennifer Daniel FCCA, DChA Slade & Cooper Limited Examiner Beehive Mill, Jersey Street, Manchester, M4 6JG

1

Mersey Rivers Trust

Trustees’ annual report

for the period ended 20 June 2022

The Mersey Rivers Trust (MRT) trustees present their report and the unaudited financial statements for the year ended 20 June 2022.

Reference and administrative information set out on page 1 forms part of this report. The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements, the charity’s constitution and the Statement of Recommended Practice - Accounting and Reporting by Charities: SORP applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with FRS 102.

Objectives and activities

The charity was created in 1998 to work in Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Cheshire and Lancashire and has the following objectives:

The trustees have reviewed the objectives of the Trust and agreed they are still valid.

Since September 2014, the charity became a Rivers Trust joining a national network of Rivers Trusts. The charity pays an annual fee and gains the support of the regional and national directors in carrying out Trust activities including employment of staff. Staff are entitled to a Rivers Trust pension scheme.

As in recent years the charity has focused on research into water quality and identification and implementation of improvement and engagement projects. It has also been a valuable forum for discussion between local authorities and water professionals. The charity has engaged with local communities as well as professional networks.

In June 2017 the Healthy Waterways Trust (operating under the name of the Healthy Rivers Trust) merged with the Mersey Basin Rivers Trust with a consequential change of name to the Mersey Rivers Trust. The charity will continue to operate as a member of the Rivers Trust and will benefit from a wider volunteer base and the utilisation of the skills and experience of its staff and Trustees. The Trust converted to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation on 20 June 2022.

The trustees review the aims, objectives, and activities of the charity each year. This report looks at what the charity has achieved and the outcomes of its work in the reporting period. The trustees report the success of each key activity and the benefits the charity has brought to those groups of people that it is set up to help. The review also helps the trustees ensure the charity's aims, objectives and activities remained focused on its stated purposes.

The trustees have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity's aims and objectives and in planning its future activities. In particular, the trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives that have been set.

2

Mersey Rivers Trust

Trustees’ annual report

for the period ended 20 June 2022

Statement of Public Benefit

In meeting these objectives, the charity’s public benefit aim is to maintain, complete and apply for funding that supports projects as detailed previously. The charity has met its objectives by sticking to the guidelines of the grants applied for.

In setting out policy and planning these activities the trustees have given consideration to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit.

The Charities Act identifies thirteen charitable purposes as being for the public benefit. The Mersey Rivers Trust meets the public benefit principles by focusing on three of those charitable purposes:

Achievements and performance

The charity's main activities and who it tries to help are described below. All its charitable activities focus on the rivers, waterbodies and their environs in the Mersey Catchment and are undertaken to further Frs102 charity’s charitable purposes for the public benefit.

The impact of Covid 19 continued to restrict the activities of the Trust during the early part of the reporting period. The number of volunteer events were reduced, and numbers limited. Most staff continued to work from home however some staff returned to working from ‘hosted’ office space.

The Trust has continued to develop and grow to meet the extensive water quality issues in the Mersey Catchment and has a significant portfolio of approved and funded projects. To deliver the expanding portfolio of environmental improvement projects the Trust appointed an additional full time Project Manager in January 2021. In addition two members of staff left the Trust and were replaced on a like for like basis.

The Trust continued to host three “Catchment Based Approach” (CaBA) catchment partnerships funded by DEFRA via the Environment Agency (£15k per partnership). The hosting of partnership meetings was mainly carried out using video conferencing and webinars however some “live” meetings were introduced towards the end of the financial year. All three partnerships delivered the Environment Agency’s “National Success Measures”

The Trust is delivering multiyear river-based improvement projects funded from donations via Enforcement Undertakings to in the Norbury and Micker Brook sub-catchments. Both projects involved working with partners and action groups to identify and deliver local actions such as river clean ups, tree planting and habitat improvements.

Working in partnership with other organisations has been a key feature of the work carried out in the Mersey Catchment. Projects such as the delivery of 60 farm management plans and farm interventions in the Upper Weaver with Severn Rivers Trust and United Utilities will help to reduce the risk of diffuse agricultural pollution. The successful completion of this project led to the award of further funding from the Environment Agency for similar work in the River Bollin catchment.

In partnership with and funded by Highways England the Trust worked with landowners to identify and deliver opportunities to reduce the risk of flooding along major road corridors in the Irwell and Etherow Catchments. MRT provided initial identification and engagement of landowners and farmers and agreed

3

Mersey Rivers Trust

Trustees’ annual report

for the period ended 20 June 2022

interventions which were then wholly or partly funded by the Trust using advanced fund supplied by Highways England.

The Trust focussed on three river systems River Tame, River Irk and the River Bollin, activities included working with schools and colleges in socially deprived areas to educate and raise awareness of local rivers, control of invasive species and working with volunteers and action groups to clean up rivers through local litter picks along riverbanks.

Several bids to the UK Governments Green Recovery programme were submitted and funding awarded for work on the Rivers Tame and River Bollin. In addition funding was also received to run a trainee project aimed at young people aged between 18-25 resulting in the appointment of a trainee for a period of one year. The trainee has benefitted from significant training and work experience which will prepare them to seek full time employment.

The Trust has tried to maintain contact with our volunteer base and local communities with regular newsletters, updates on our website and social media. The impact of Covid with a focus on engagement and encouraging volunteer work on local rivers.

Beneficiaries of our services

The Trust aims to improve the aquatic environment in the Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Merseyside areas for the benefit of local communities, anglers, environmental action groups and other organisations with similar objectives. Improvements to the environment will benefit the public through cleaner and healthier looking rivers with improved access, education and awareness through public events and volunteer activities.

Financial review

The Trust continues to be run on a sound and improving financial basis resulting from significant donations and grants to deliver environmental projects.

The total income received was £936,662 (£535,239: 2021) and expenditure of £1,130,897 (£547,037: 2021). The net income/expenditure of -£197,235 resulted from the delivery of projects where funding had been received in previous years and expenditure for work done on 2022/23 ‘in year’ projects where funding will be paid retrospectively in April 2023.

The significant increase in income is largely due to advanced funding of projects which will be delivered over the next two years and the extended accounting period because of the switch to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. However, the Trust has been successful in winning an increased number of funding bids to deliver a range of diverse projects.

The key expenditure areas associated with charitable activities such as partnership hosting and project delivery. Staff costs increased significantly to £503,866 (£310,998:2021) due to the appointment of additional staff including a new Project Manager and trainee, rising employment costs and the extended accounting period.

The Trust is almost wholly funded by grants and awards to complete environmental projects and Initiatives. The principal source of funding is the Environment Agency through its Water and Environment Improvement Fund, Natural Flood Management Fund, Water Environment Grant and Catchment Based Approach. However, the Trust has actively tried to find alternative funding sources to reduce the reliance on Environment Agency funding. The funding is used to deliver projects using Mersey Rivers Trust staff (staff costs recovery) and the use of contractors and consultants (project management). A small number of directly contracted works were carried out on behalf of our partners.

4

Mersey Rivers Trust

Trustees’ annual report

for the period ended 20 June 2022

The Trust’s unrestricted funds have decreased to £221,761 (£494,326: 2021) reflecting the expenditure on projects targeted by the Trust funded in advance in previous years by donations. The Trust has also identified additional projects which it will fund from unrestricted funds to be delivered in 2022/23.

Reserves policy

Reserves are considered to be that part of the Trust’s funds which are freely available for its general purpose after it has met its commitments and covered its other planned expenditure. These unrestricted funds are needed to bridge the gap between the spending and receiving of income and to cover administrative, fundraising and support costs without which the Trust could not function. The trustees consider that due to the expansion and future growth plans for the Trust the ideal level of reserves as at 31st March 2021 would be in the region of £220,000 being 6 months (or 50%) of future annual base operating costs (2022/23) for salaries, insurance, accounting, governance and general admin.

The unrestricted “General Fund” of 221,761 includes MRT planned funding (£56,491) to deliver MRT identified projects. The balance of the General Fund of £165,270 will be regarded as ‘MRT Reserves’. Reserved have increased by £11,665 from 2021/22 primarily as a result of donations and the efficiencies made on project delivery

The reserves stand at 38% of base annual operating costs, lower than the stated policy figure. This will be offset in future years by increased fund raising and project efficiencies.

Plans for the future

We will continue to deliver our short-term plans which are aligned to our long-term objectives (2050 given the scale of the challenges faced in the Mersey Basin).

The 2050 outcomes will guide the shorter-term strategy for the growth and development of the Trust over the next three years. Allied to the longer-term outcomes, we have developed the following key priorities for the period 2020 to 2023:

5

Mersey Rivers Trust

Trustees’ annual report

for the period ended 20 June 2022

Structure, governance and management

Healthy Waterways Trust is constituted by Trust Deed dated 6 October 1998 and deed of variation dated 1st July 1999 and is a registered charity No. 01073152. The Trust was renamed The Mersey Rivers Trust in May 2017.

The Trust has applied to the Charity Commission to convert to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). The main driver for this action was to reduce the administrative burden of reporting to the Charity Commission and Companies (as a Limited Company). The Mersey Rivers Trust Limited company will be closed and “struck off” the Companies House register. The application to become a CIO was accepted and registered on 25 November 2021. The Trust has been working with the Charity commission to transfer the assets and business of the original Trust to the new CIO which was completed on 20 June 2022.

The trust constituted itself as a “Foundation CIO” whose only voting members are its charity trustees. The trustees are members of the charity, but this entitles them only to voting rights. The trustees have no beneficial interest in the charity.

Appointment of Trustees

The first and current trustees were appointed (and may be removed) by its board of trustees. There should be one third of the trustees or two trustees, whichever is the greater, of those attending a meeting to be quorate.

The charitable objectives of the trust are such that the trustees believe that it is essential to ensure that the management of the charity is effective and in line with good practice in the charitable sector. In addition, the areas of activity require experience, knowledge and expertise in river basin management, water resources, environmental management and protection, local government and the voluntary sector. The trustees annually review the membership of the trust to ensure an appropriate balance of management and more specialist expertise is available. New trustees are appointed following consideration by the existing trustees collectively. Trustees may serve for a maximum period of three years before standing down or seeking re-election.

6

Mersey Rivers Trust

Trustees’ annual report

for the period ended 20 June 2022

All trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no benefits from the charity. Any expenses reclaimed from the charity are set out in note 8 to the accounts.

Related parties and relationships with other organisations

None of the trustees receive remuneration or other benefit for their work with the charity. Any contractual relationship with a related party must be disclosed: in the current or previous year, no such related party transactions were reported

Remuneration policy for key management personnel

Remuneration for key staff (Operations and Delivery Director and the Strategic Planning and Development Director) is aligned to the National Rivers Trust guidance “Pay Guide for Rivers Trust October 2021”

The post of Director is designated as Grade 6 – “Director of a small to medium sized Trust”. The appointment of the Director (Paul Henbrey was made in November 2016 and John Sanders July 2019). Remuneration will be reviewed annually by the Trustees.

Risk management

The monitoring and management of risk is a dynamic process, and the charity faces some level of risk in the activities, events and contracts that it engages in. The trustees have a risk management strategy which comprises:

Compliance with law and regulation - eg breach of trust law and regulatory requirements of particular activities such as fund-raising

The charity’s review of its risk management will continue to help ensure:

7

Mersey Rivers Trust

Trustees’ annual report

for the period ended 20 June 2022

Fundraising

The Trust does not carry out direct fundraising activities.

Funds held as custodian trustee on behalf of others

The Trust does not hold funds or other assets on behalf of other individuals or organisations.

8

Mersey Rivers Trust

Trustees’ annual report

for the period ended 20 June 2022

Statement of responsibilities of the trustees

Law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the charity's financial activities during the period and of its financial position at the end of the period. In preparing financial statements giving a true and fair view, the trustees should follow best practice and:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charity's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

The trustees’ annual report has been approved by the trustees on 18/01/2023 and signed on their behalf by

Name Dr Keith Hendry

Title Mersey Rivers Trust Chair

9

Independent examiner’s report

to the members of

Mersey Rivers Trust

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the period ended 20 June 2022 which are set out on pages 11 to 23.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner's statement

Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, which is one of the listed bodies.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Jennifer Daniel FCCA DChA

Slade & Cooper Limited, Chartered Certified Accountants Beehive Mill, Jersey Street Manchester, M4 6JG

Date 22/03/2023

10

Mersey Rivers Trust

Statement of Financial Activities

(including Income and Expenditure account) for the period ended 20 June 2022

Unrestricted
funds
Note
£
Income from:
Charitable activities
3
437,105
Investments
4
532
Total income
437,637
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities:
5
710,202
Total expenditure
710,202
6
(272,565)
Transfer between funds
-
Net movement in funds for the year
(272,565)
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
494,326
Total funds carried forward
221,761
Net income/(expenditure) for the
year		 Restricted
funds
£
499,025
-
499,025
420,695
420,695
78,330
-
78,330
56,341
134,671		 Total funds
2022
£
936,130
532
936,662
1,130,897
1,130,897
(194,235)
-
(194,235)
550,667
356,432		 Total funds
2021
£
534,475
764
535,239
547,037
547,037
(11,798)
-
(11,798)
562,465
550,667

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

11

Mersey Rivers Trust

Balance sheet as at 20 June 2022

Note
£
£
Current assets
Debtors
10
22,762
Cash at bank and in hand
817,629
Total current assets
840,391
Liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling
due in less than one year
11
(483,959)
Net current assets
356,432
Net assets
356,432
The funds of the charity:
Restricted income funds
12
134,671
Unrestricted income funds
13
221,761
Total charity funds
356,432
2022		 £
£
65,676
499,512
565,188
(14,521)
550,667
550,667
56,341
494,326
550,667
2021		 £
£
65,676
499,512
565,188
(14,521)
550,667
550,667
56,341
494,326
550,667
2021
550,667
56,341
494,326
550,667

The notes on pages 14 to 23 form part of these accounts.

Approved by the trustees on 18/01/2023 and signed on their behalf by:

Dr Keith Hendry (Chair)

12

Mersey Rivers Trust

Statement of Cash Flows for the period ending 20 June 2022

Note
2022
£
Cash provided by/(used in) operating activities
15
317,585
Cash flows from investing activities:
Dividends, interest, and rents from investments
532
Cash provided by/(used in) investing activities
532
318,117
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
499,512
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year
817,629
Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash
equivalents in the year		 2021
£
(55,356)
764
764
(54,592)
554,104
499,512

13

Mersey Rivers Trust

Notes to the accounts for the period ended 20 June 2022

1 Accounting policies

The principal accounting policies adopted, judgments and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows:

a Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), second edition - October 2019 (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.

The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared to give a 'true and fair view' and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a 'true and fair view'. This departure has involved following Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), second edition - October 2019, rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.

Mersey Rivers Trust meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note.

b Preparation of the accounts on a going concern basis

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.

The trustees have made no key judgments which have a significant effect on the accounts.

The trustees do not consider that there are any sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets and liabilities within the next reporting period.

14

Mersey Rivers Trust

Notes to the accounts for the period ended 20 June 2022 (continued)

c Income

Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the item(s) of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Income from government and other grants, whether ‘capital’ grants or ‘revenue’ grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.

For legacies, entitlement is taken as the earlier of the date on which either: the charity is aware that probate has been granted, the estate has been finalised and notification has been made by the executor(s) to the charity that a distribution will be made, or when a distribution is received from the estate. Receipt of a legacy, in whole or in part, is only considered probable when the amount can be measured reliably and the charity has been notified of the executor’s intention to make a distribution. Where legacies have been notified to the charity, or the charity is aware of the granting of probate, and the criteria for income recognition have not been met, then the legacy is a treated as a contingent asset and disclosed if material.

Income received in advance of a provision of a specified service is deferred until the criteria for income recognition are met.

d Interest receivable

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the Bank.

15

Mersey Rivers Trust

Notes to the accounts for the period ended 20 June 2022 (continued)

e Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of charity.

Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the charity which the trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose.

Restricted funds are donations and partnership agreements which the funder has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the charity’s work or for specific projects being undertaken by the charity.

f Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified under the following activity headings:

Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.

h Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

i Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

j Creditors and provisions

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

16

Mersey Rivers Trust

Notes to the accounts for the period ended 20 June 2022 (continued)

k Financial instruments

The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

l Pensions

Employees of the charity are entitled to join a defined contribution scheme. The charity’s contribution is restricted to the contributions disclosed in note 8. There were no outstanding contributions at the year end.

2 Legal status of the charity

The charity is an unincorporated charity registered in England and Wales.

3 Income from charitable activities

Catchment partnership
Total
Previous reporting period
Catchment partnership
Subtotal for activity 1
Investment income
Income from bank deposits
Invasive species removal and
river restoration
Invasive species removal and
river restoration		 Unrestricted
£
-
437,105
437,105
Unrestricted
£
-
166,225
166,225		 Restricted
£
499,025
-
499,025
Restricted
£
368,250
-
368,250
2,022
£
532		 Total 2022
£
499,025
437,105
936,130
Total 2021
£
368,250
166,225
534,475
2,021
£
764

All of the charity's investment income arises from money held in interest bearing deposit accounts. All investment income is unrestricted.

4

17

Mersey Rivers Trust

Notes to the accounts for the period ended 20 June 2022 (continued)

5 Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities

Staff costs
Contractors expenses
Travel and subsistence
Stationery and telephone
Accountancy fees
Meetings
Equipment
Training
Insurance
IT costs
Administration
Miscellaneous
Charitable donations
Legal and professional fees
Independent examiner's fee
Restricted expenditure
Unrestricted expenditure
6
Net income/(expenditure) for the year
This is stated after charging/(crediting):
Governance costs
Independent examiner's fee		 2022
£
503,866
456,519
22,892
1,226
4,990
1,247
36,740
13,041
2,510
6,125
42,151
7,740
15,401
14,289
2,160
1,130,897
2022
£
420,695
710,202
1,130,897
2022
£
2,160		 2021
£
310,998
167,250
11,116
966
4,484
46
25,301
2,626
1,830
1,387
10,270
8,963
-
-
1,800
547,037
2021
£
316,310
230,727
547,037
2021
£
1,800

18

Notes to the accounts for the period ended 20 June 2022 (continued)

Mersey Rivers Trust

7 Staff costs

Staff costs during the year were as follows:

aff costs during the year were as follows:
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs		 2022
£
439,495
32,289
32,042
503,826		 2021
£
307,403
29,252
22,081
358,736

No employees has employee benefits in excess of £60,000 (2021: Nil).

The average number of staff employed during the period was 13.53 (2021: 10.75). The average full time equivalent number of staff employed during the period was 12.2 (2021: 10.2).

The key management personnel of the charity comprise the trustees and the Executive Director Operations and Delivery and Executive Director Strategy Development. The total employee benefits of the key management personnel of the charity were £101,006 (2021: £76,705).

8 Trustee remuneration and expenses, and related party transactions

No (2021:One) trustee received conference expenses during the year (2021:£262).

Aggregate donations from related parties were £nil (2021: £nil).

There are no donations from related parties which are outside the normal course of business and no restricted donations from related parties.

No other trustee or other person related to the charity had any personal interest in any contract or transaction entered into by the charity, including guarantees, during the year (2021:nil).

19

Mersey Rivers Trust

Notes to the accounts for the period ended 20 June 2022 (continued)

9 Corporation tax

The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within Chapter 3 of Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects. No tax charges have arisen in the charity.

10 Debtors

Debtors
Trade debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
Other debtors		 2022
£
19,300
2,878
584
22,762		 2021
£
62,313
2,780
583
65,676

11 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Other creditors and accruals
Deferred income
Taxation and social security costs		 2022
£
8,931
465,780
9,248
483,959		 2021
£
6,046
-
8,475
14,521

20

Mersey Rivers Trust

Notes to the accounts for the period ended 20 June 2022 (continued)

12 Analysis of movements in restricted funds

Total
Total
Current reporting
period
Previous
reporting period
Name of
restricted fund
Catchment
partnership
Catchment
partnership
Catchment
partnership		 Balance
at 1 April
2021
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
Balance at
20 June
2022
£
£
£
£
£
56,341
499,025
(420,695)
-
134,671
56,341
499,025
(420,695)
-
134,671
Balance
at 1 April
2020
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
Balance at
31 March
2021
£
£
£
£
£
4,401
368,250
(316,310)
-
56,341
4,401
368,250
(316,310)
-
56,341
Description, nature and purposes of the fund

The Catchment Partnerships and associated projects are part of the
DEFRA led initiative Catchment Based Approach (CaBA). The Mersey
Rivers Trust receives funding from DEFRA (via the Environment
Agency) and the European funded Natural Course Project to host three
Catchment Partnerships (Alt/Crossens, Lower Mersey and Upper Mersey
Catchments). Funding is also received to deliver other environmental
projects from the Environment Agency (Water Environment
Improvement Fund (WEIF) and Natural Flood Management Fund and
Water Environment Grants). Transfer to unrestricted funds represents
expenditure that have not been correctly allocated to restricted funds
and surpluses achieved through project efficiencies. The associated
projects have been delivered satisfactorily and signed off by the
funders		 Balance at
20 June
2022
£
134,671
134,671
Balance at
31 March
2021
£
56,341
56,341

21

Mersey Rivers Trust

Notes to the accounts for the period ended 20 June 2022 (continued)

13 Analysis of movement in unrestricted funds

Current reporting
period
Previous
reporting period
General fund
General fund		 Balance
at 1 April
2021
£
494,326
494,326
Balance
at 1 April
2020
£
558,064
558,064
 Income
£
437,637
437,637
Income
£
166,989
166,989		 Expenditure
£
(710,202)
(710,202)
Expenditure
£
(230,727)
(230,727)		 Transfers
£
-
-
Transfers
£
-
-		 As at 20
June 2022
£
221,761
221,761
As at 31
March
2021
£
494,326
494,326

Name of

unrestricted fund Description, nature and purposes of the fund

General fund The free reserves after allowing for all designated funds

14 Analysis of net assets between funds

Net current assets/(liabilities)
Total		 General
fund
£
221,761
221,761		 Designated
funds
£
-
-		 Restricted
funds
£
134,671
134,671		 Total
£
356,432
356,432

22

Notes to the accounts for the period ended 20 June 2022 (continued)

Mersey Rivers Trust

15 Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating activities

2022
£
Net income/(expenditure) for the year
(194,235)
Adjustments for:
Dividends, interest and rents from investments
(532)
Decrease/(increase) in debtors
42,914
Increase/(decrease) in creditors
469,438
317,585
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating		 2021
£
(11,798)
(764)
(45,787)
2,993
(55,356)

16 Transfer of assets and liabilities

The assets and liabilites of the unincorporated charity were transferred to a new charitable incorporated organisation on the 20 June 2022.

23